Breaking:Max Verstappen says Miami GP pole ‘clearly’ showed that becoming a dad has not… read more
Max Verstappen has made it clear that becoming a father has had no negative impact on his driving performance, following his pole position at the Miami Grand Prix. The reigning world champion, who recently welcomed his first child, a daughter named Lily, with partner Kelly Piquet, managed to secure pole ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris and Mercedes’ young star Kimi Antonelli. This marks Verstappen’s second pole position of the 2025 Formula 1 season and strengthens his campaign for a fifth consecutive drivers’ championship title.
Due to the birth of his daughter earlier in the week, Verstappen was absent from Thursday’s media day at the Miami circuit. The Red Bull driver remained in Europe for a few extra days to be with his family, delaying his trip to the United States. This gave rise to speculation among some media and paddock members regarding whether fatherhood might have an effect on Verstappen’s performance on the track. Several of his rivals were even asked if they thought the demands of parenthood could slow him down.
However, Verstappen quickly dismissed such suggestions following his dominant qualifying session. He said it was important to spend time at home during the early days of his daughter’s life and ensure everything was going well. Reflecting on the experience, Verstappen noted, “It’s been good to be able to spend a few days at home before coming here. When she’s just born, you want to make sure everything is okay.” He added with a smile, “Clearly it didn’t make me slower as well, being a dad. So, that’s a positive. We can throw that out the window as well, for people mentioning it.”
Verstappen’s performance in Miami demonstrated his unwavering focus and competitiveness, even with the new responsibilities of fatherhood. His ability to adapt and maintain top form underlines why he remains the dominant force in Formula 1. With growing family responsibilities off the track and increased pressure on it, Verstappen continues to prove why he is one of the most resilient and consistent drivers of his generation.
As the season progresses, the Dutch driver will aim to keep his momentum going and secure more wins in pursuit of his fifth world title. His latest pole position serves as a clear message to both fans and critics alike—fatherhood may be a life-changing milestone, but it hasn’t slowed Max Verstappen down one bit.
